Device for controlling seaborne vessels

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for controlling the movement of a ship or similar water borne vessel, includes a pair of control plates which are mounted at longitudinally spaced locations on the vessel hull, preferably in a position in which they enclose a cavity containing the plate movement control mechanism. The plates are pivotally mounted at their outer or opposite ends to the hull, and when they are pivoted against the hull, they substantially can close a cavity in which is contained a rotatable element which is rotatable for the purposes of opening and closing the plates. The rotatable element comprises a shaft having a control plate, for example a triangularly-shaped plate, with one of the apices centered on the rotatable shaft and opposite spaced apices which are connected through control rods to the respective plates. An alternate construction includes a separate rotatable shaft and a drive plate for each control plate and a central rotatable lever arm centrally located within the cavity and connected through connecting rods to each individual drive plate.

United States Patent 1191 Hamasaki 111] 3,831,543 1 Aug. 27, 1974 [541 DEVICE FOR CONTROLLHNG SEABORNE VESSELS [22] Filed: Jan. 6, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 215,795

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-Stuart M. Goldstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-McGlew and Tuttle 1 1 ABSTRACT An apparatus for controlling the movement of a ship or similar water borne vessel, includes a pair of control plates which are mounted at longitudinally spaced locations on the vessel hull, preferably in a position in which they enclose a cavity containing the plate movement control mechanism. The plates are pivotally mounted at their outer or opposite ends to the hull, and when they are pivoted against the hull, they substantially can close a cavity in which is contained a rotatable element which is rotatable for the purposes of opening and closing the plates. The rotatable element comprises a shaft having a control plate, for example a triangularly-shaped plate, with one of the apices centered on the rotatable shaft and opposite spaced apices which are connected through control rods to the respective plates. An alternate construction includes a separate rotatable shaft and a drive plate for each control plate and a central rotatable lever arm centrally located within the cavity and connected through connecting rods to each individual drive plate.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing; Figures Aug. 6, 1971 Japan 46-59005 [52] 11.5. C1 114/145 R [51] Int. Cl B6311 25/44 [58] Field of Search 114/176, 145 R, 144 A, 114/144 R, 145 A, 152

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,256,736 2/1918 Gatchell 114/145 R 2,663,276 12/1953 Ouellet 114/145 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 331,708 12/1935 Italy 114/145 R 1,412,717 8/1965 France 114/145 R PATENIEB AUEZ 71974 I 3.831.543 smear 4 PATH-HEB AUEZYISH 3.831543 WEETQUF 4 BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to the construction of seagoing vessels and, in particular, to a new and useful apparatus for controlling the movement of a ship which includes one or more plates which are pivotally mounted on a side of the vessel and may be swung outwardly from the side for control purposes.

2. Description of the Prior Art At the present time, large vessels are controlled by operating the main engines in a manner to effect the controls such as by stopping them, by operating them in reverse, etc. At some times, the anchor is used to control the vessel by holding the ship so that it can swing about a certain anchoring point or by using the chain length to draw the vessel up to a given location. In some instances, the anchor is payed out and dragged. Generally speaking, such operations may be carried out only when the ship is in an almost stopped condition. If a main engine of a ship is stopped, it takes a considerable amount of time before the ship loses its forward movement due to inertia. This time is proportional to the mass of the ship as a moving object. When the main engine is reversed, the stem of the ship may be deviated and the hull may be inclined to either side because of the effect given to the water around the stern of the ship by the propeller, and the deviation from the inclination cannot be controlled by the rudder. The amount of deviation varies with the draught of the stem and the stern of the ship and upon wind pressure applied to the ship and upon other factors. In the case of a ship of very large mass, such as one of 50,000 tons or more, the control of deviation due to reverse operation or rotation of the propeller is practically impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, the defects of the conventional methods of controlling the movement of a ship are overcome by providing an apparatus which includes one .or more control plates which are mounted on a side of the ship in a manner such that they may be pivoted to an open or substantially normal position in respect to the hull of the ship or closed to enclose a cavity containing the control mechanism therefor. In the preferred arrangement, two control plates are employed which are arranged to overlie a cavity in a side of the ships hull, and they are provided at their respective outer ends to the hull so that they open outwardly from the center of the cavity. The driving mechanism for the plates is contained within the cavity and it includes a rotatable shaft element with a' drive plate which is connected to each plate through a connecting arm. When a drive plate is rotated with the shaft on which it is mounted, it drives the associated plate through the connecting arm to either open or close it. The plates may be opened to expose the plates in a position at which they extend substantially normally outwardly from the vessel hull andpresent a flat surface providing a drag in the direction of movement of the ship so that the ship may be stopped in a short time without deviation of the stern. When the plates are closed, they enclose the cavity having the connecting mechanism so that in a closed condition of the plates,

they do not prevent or disturb the movement of the ship.

In a preferred form, control plates are mounted on each side of the ship and in the event of a very long ship, they may be mounted at longitudinally spaced locations along the hull and preferably are symmetrically arranged. Each of the units can be connected to control elements for operating them separately so that the direction of movement of the ship may be freely changed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved control device for controlling the movement of a vessel which comprises at least one plate which is pivotally mounted on a hull and which is connected through driving mechanism for opening and closing the plate in order to position it either flat against the hull of the ship in a non-operative position in which it closes the control cavity or outwardly from the side of the vessel in which it provides a control effect on the vessel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control mechanism which comprises a cavity defined in a side of a'ship in which is mounted a rotatable control plate which is connected through connecting linkages to the outer ends of two pivotally mounted plates which may be moved from an open position at which they extend substantially normal to the side of the hull and outwardly from the cavity to a position in which they overlie the cavity and close it.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control mechanism for control plates which may be moved outwardly from the side of a ships hull and which includes a rotatable triangular plate being connected to a rotatable shaft member at its one apex and having two outer apices which are respectively connected through linkages to the outer ends of pivotal control plates, the shaft being rotatable to pivot the plates so that they may be moved either flush against the side of the hull or outwardly from the hull.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control device for a vessel which is simple'in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the Drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a ship having a control device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view partly broken v away of one of the control devices shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the operable movement positions of the device shown in FIG. 6.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing in particular, the invention embodied therein in FIGS. 1 to 5 includes, a ship or vessel 1, with a hull having sides 2, which carries two longitudinally spaced ship movement control devices, generally designated 50 and 52.

In accordance with the invention, each control device 50 and 52 includes operative parts arranged in a cavity 3, 3 which is defined in selected locations along the length of a ship and which depend upon the displacement and length in respect to the number and location.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the control devices 50 and 52 each include control plates 6, and 6 which carry vertically spaced substantially parallel flanges 19,, 19,, 19 19 which flanges form projecting supports for pivotally mounting the associated plates on respective vertical pivots 20, and The flanges extend inwardly from the inner ends 7, and 7 of the respective plates and they are rotatable on pivots which are located within the respective cavities 3, 3. The plates 6, and 6 are advantageously of a size such that they completely close the cavity opening between hull side plate portions 4,, 4, when they are pivoted to a position in which they lie flush against the hull for ship side 2. The outer ends 5, and 5-, of the respective plates meet together in the closed position, thereby completely closing off the cavity 3.

The plates are either opened or closed by drive means or a drive mechanism in the form of a rotatable drive shaft 12, which in the embodiment shown, carries two spaced triangular drive plates 14 and 14' which are connected to the associated drive shaft 12 at one of the apices of the triangular drive plates. A suitable journal 13 is provided at the connecting apex of the associated plates for this purpose. Each plate 14, 14' carries a pivotal connecting arm or drive rod 10,, 10,, which in turn are connected at their outer ends 9,, 9 to the respective inner surfaces 8,, 8 of control plates 6,, 6 at the location of pivots 21, and 21 respectively. The inner ends 11, and 11 of the respective rods are connected at pivots 21, and 21 to the respective other apices of the triangular plates 14 at locations 15, and 15,, respectively.

The rotary drive shafts 12 are advantageously connected to individual drive motors (not shown) which are operated, for example, from the bridge of the ship to pivot the plates 6, and 6 between an open position in which they extend substantially normal to the sides 2, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to a non-operative or closed position, in which they lie flush against the sides. During the operation, the plates 14, 14' are rotated with the associated shafts 12 to a completely open position, as shown in FIG. 2, in which they extend partly outwardly from the cavity 3 to the exterior of the ship beyond the hull line, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively, they may be rotated to a closed position, as shown in FIG. 4, in which the plates lie flush with the hull plates and the ends 5, and 5, are substantially abutting so that the cavity is completely closed and does not influence the movement of the ship. The plates move between the two end positions by moving the operating or driving mechanism, as shown schematically in FIG. 5.

An alternate embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which similar parts are designated with similar numbers, but with primes added. In this construction, the ships hull is provided with a cavity 3" and the openings 18, and 18, which are spaced longitudinally and which are separated by a plate 16. The openings 18, and 18 are bounded at each end by ends 4, and 4 which terminate the respective ends of the cavity 3". The control plate 6, and 6 are mounted about respective pivots 20, and 20 as in the other embodiment, but they pivot in respective opposite directions from the normal (perpendicular) position shown in FIG. 6 inwardly to overlie the respective openings 18, and 18,.

The drive means for the plates 6, and 6 includes a drive shaft 12' which is rotatably mounted in a journal 13' of a double-arm lever 14. Connecting rod members 10,, and 10., are pivoted at their inner ends 9 and 9., to respective ends 15, and 15 of the double-arm drive lever 14 at pivot points 21, and 21,. The outer ends of the connecting rods 10;, and 10., are pivoted at ends 11,, and 11., to pivot point connections 21, and 21 of triangular plates 14, and 14 Rotation of the drive shaft 12 therefore, causes a corresponding rotation of the respective plates 14, and 14 in respective opposite directions. The rods 10,, and 10., are connected at corners or apices 15 and 15,, of the plate 14, and 14 The opposite triangular apex 15 15., is connected to a separate respective rod 10, and 10, which is pivoted at 21, and 21, on the plates 6, and 6 respectively.

As seen in FIG. 7, the plates 6, and 6 may be shifted from their active or operative position indicated in FIG. 6 at which they extend substantially normally outwardly from the hull and from the plate 16 to a nonactive position at which they overlie and close the openings 18, and 18 and in which they extend substantially flush against the hull side 2. The opening and closing movement of both plates together is effected through the drive shaft 12 to cause rotation of the double-arm lever 14 from the dotted line position to the solid line position shown in FIG. 7, which causes the inward movement of the plates to the non-operative position. The outward movement is done by a reverse pivoting of the double-arm lever 14'.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cavity 3" is defined by a housing 22 which is formed in the hull. Each plate 6, and 6, each include flange portions 19, and 19 having end portions 7, and 7,, respectively, which are rotatable on pivot pins 20, and 20 respectively. The flanges l9, and 19 are carried on respective inner faces 8, and 8 and the ends thereof opposite to the pivot ends carry pivot bearings 21 and 21 for pivoting the respective ends 9, and 9, of connecting rods 10, and 10 The opposite ends of the connecting rods 10, and 10 are connected at 11, and 11 to pivot connections 21, and 21, of the plates 14, and 14 respectively. Plates 14, and 14, have corners or apices l3, and 13 which define mounting pivots l2, and 12 for these plates.

The invention thus provides one, or a plurality of control surfaces, along the side 2 of a ship 1, which may be shifted outwardly into the moving water stream below the water line for the purpose of controlling the movement and attitude of the ship. Each of the control elements may be separately controlled or controlled in unison to effect any desired control movement on a ship. When the plates are open, they receive the resistance of the water and aid in the stopping of the ship and, in addition, when the selective controls on respective sides of the ship are actuated, they aid in the maneuvering of the ship.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustratethe application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A water vessel control device adapted to be carried on a side of a vessel at or below the water line, comprising first and second longitudinally spaced control plates, first and second pivot means for pivoting one ends of said first and second control plates on the side of the vessel at spaced longitudinal locations so as to permit the respective opposite ends of said control plates to move inwardly and outwardly in respect of the side of the vessel, and a single rotatable drive member connected to both of said control plates and at a location spaced from said pivot means for moving said first and second control plate inwardly and outwardly in respect to the side of the vessel from a position in which said plates are substantially flush with the side to a position in which they extend substantially normal thereto and are disposed in the water stream flowing alongside said vessel.

2. A water vessel control device adapted to be carried on a side of the vessel at or below the water line, comprising at least one control plate, pivotal mounting means for pivoting one end of said plate on the side of said vessel for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis to permit the opposite end to move inwardly and outwardly in respect to the side of the vessel, and a rotatable drive mechanism connected to said plate at a spaced location from said pivotal mounting means for shifting said control plate inwardly and outwardly in respect to the side of the vessel from a position in which the plate is substantially flat against the side to a position in which it extends substantially normal thereto and is disposed in the water stream flowing alongside said vessel, said rotatable drive means comprising a rotatable shaft mounted on said vessel, a drive plate carried on said shaft, and a connecting rod having one end pivoted to said plate at a spaced location from said shaft and an opposite end pivoted to said control plate, said at least one plate including first and second longitudinally spaced plates having opposite outer ends pivoted on said pivotal mounting means and being of a size such that they abut when they are in a position against the side of the vessel, said rotatable drive means comprising a rotatable shaft, a drive plate of substantially triangular configuration carried by said shaft, and

first and second pivotal connecting rod members pivotally connected between said first and second control plates and the respective apices of said triangular drive plate at a location spaced from said shaft connection.

3. A water vessel comprising a hull having a side with an interiorly closed cavity opening to the exterior of said hull, longitudinally spaced first and second control plates, first and second pivotal mounting means arranged adjacent the cavity for pivotally mounting respective one ends of said control plates on said hull,

each of said control plates having an opposite end which is movable inwardly and outwardly in respect to said hull, and a rotatable drive mechanism arranged within the cavity and connected to each of said first and second control plates at a location spaced from said pivotal mounting means for shifting said control plates simultaneously from a position at which they are inoperative and are substantially flush with the side of said hull to a position in which they are operative position in the water stream flowing along the vessel and is substantially normal to the side of the hull for controlling the vessel in relation to the water stream.

4. A water vessel, according to claim 3, wherein said drive means includes a shaft rotatably mounted in said cavity between the pivotal ends of said first and second plates, and a triangular drive plate having one apex adjacent which it is pivotally connected to said rotatable drive shaft and opposite apices at spaced locations from said drive shaft, first and sec-0nd connecting rods pivoted to respective ones of said opposite apices of said triangular drive plate and to said control plate, said drive plate being rotatable with said drive shaft between a position at which it extends partially out of said cavity and holds said first and second plates in an open effective control position at which the plates extend substantially normally outwardly from said hull and also being movable to a position in which it extends substantially wholly within said cavity in which said plates are moved flush against the side of said hull and substantially close the cavity.

5. A water vessel, according to claim 3, said rotatable drive mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft located within said cavity, and drive linkage means between said rotatable drive shaft and respective first and second plates for shifting said plates together between a position at which they extend substantially normal to the side of said hull to position in which they extend substantially flush against the side of said hull and close said cavity.

6. A water vessel, according to claim 5, wherein said cavity opening is disposed between the pivotal mounting of said first and second plates and said plates move inwardly together to cause the ends to substantially abut and close said cavity when they are flush against the side of said hull.

7. A water vessel control device comprising a closed housing for defining an interior cavity which is adapted to be located on a side of a vessel, said cavity having at least one opening outwardly in a direction away from the side of the vessel, first and second control plates, first and second pivot means carried by said housing at spaced longitudinal locations and being connected to said control plates for pivotally supporting said plates at one of their respective ends so that the opposite respective ends may be swung outwardly from said housing and said cavity opening, said first and second control plates being movable between a position at which they extend substantially flush with the side of the vessel and close the opening of said cavity to a position at which they extend substantially normal to the side of the vessel and outwardly from said housing, and a drive mechanism mounted in said housing connected to said control plates for shifting said plates inwardly and outwardly about said respective first and second pivots.

8. A water vessel control device, according to claim 7, wherein said cavity has only a single opening, said first and second control plates being pivotal inwardly to a position substantially in which the ends opposite said pivotal connections substantially abut and close said cavity.

9. A water vessel control device, according to claim '7, wherein said cavity has first and second spaced longisaid first and second control plates and respective apices of said triangular drive plate which are spaced from said drive shaft.

11. A water vessel control device, according to claim 7, wherein said rotatable drive means comprises a rotatable drive shaft, a double-arm lever centrally mounted on said drive shaft and having respective first and second outer arm portions, first and second pivotal triangular plates for each of said first and second control plates and linkage means connected between said double-arm lever first and second outer arm portions and respective first and second triangular drive plates and between said drive plates and said first and second control plates. 

1. A water vessel control device adapted to be carried on a side of a vessel at or below the water line, comprising first and second longitudinally spaced control plates, first and second pivot means for pivoting one ends of said first and second control plates on the side of the vessel at spaced longitudinal locations so as to permit the respective opposite ends of said control plates to move inwardly and outwardly in respect of the side of the vessel, and a single rotatable drive member connected to both of said control plates and at a location spaced from said pivot means for moving said first and second control plate inwardly and outwardly in respect to the side of the vessel from a position in which said plates are substantially flush with the side to a position in which they extend substantially normal thereto and are disposed in the water stream flowing alongside said vessel.
 2. A water vessel control device adapted to be carried on a side of the vessel at or below the water line, comprising at least one control plate, pivotal mounting means for pivoting one end of said plate on the side of said vessel for pivotal movement about a substantially vertical axis to permit the opposite end to move inwardly and outwardly in respect to the side of the vessel, and a rotatable drive mechanism connected to said plate at a spaced location from said pivotal mounting means for shifting said control plate inwardly and outwardly in respect to the side of the vessel from a position in which the plate is substantially flat against the side to a position in which it extends substantially normal thereto and is disposed in the water stream flowing alongside said vessel, said rotatable drive means comprising a rotatable shaft mounted on said vessel, a drive plate carried on said shaft, and a connecting rod having one end pivoted to said plate at a spaced location from said shaft and an opposite end pivoted to said control plate, said at least one plate including first and second longitudinally spaced plates having opposite outer ends pivoted on said pivotal mounting means and being of a size such that they abut when they are in a position against the side of the vessel, said rotatable drive means comprising a rotatable shaft, a drive plate of substantially triangular configuration carried by said shaft, and first and second pivotal connecting rod members pivotally connected between said first and second control plates and the respective apices of said triangular drive plate at a location spaced from said shaft connection.
 3. A water vessel comprising a hull having a side with an interiorly closed cavity opening to the exterior of said hull, longitudinally spaced first and second control plates, first and second pivotal mounting means arranged adjacent the cavity for pivotally mounting respective one ends of said control plates on said hull, each of said control plates having an opposite end which is movable inwardly and outwardly in respect to said hull, and a rotatable drive mechanism arranged within the cavity and connected to each of said first and second control plates at a location spaced from said pivotal mounting means for shifting said control plates simultaneously from a position at which they are inoperative and are substantially flush with the side of said hull to a position in which they are operative position in the water stream flowing along the vessel and is substantialLy normal to the side of the hull for controlling the vessel in relation to the water stream.
 4. A water vessel, according to claim 3, wherein said drive means includes a shaft rotatably mounted in said cavity between the pivotal ends of said first and second plates, and a triangular drive plate having one apex adjacent which it is pivotally connected to said rotatable drive shaft and opposite apices at spaced locations from said drive shaft, first and second connecting rods pivoted to respective ones of said opposite apices of said triangular drive plate and to said control plate, said drive plate being rotatable with said drive shaft between a position at which it extends partially out of said cavity and holds said first and second plates in an open effective control position at which the plates extend substantially normally outwardly from said hull and also being movable to a position in which it extends substantially wholly within said cavity in which said plates are moved flush against the side of said hull and substantially close the cavity.
 5. A water vessel, according to claim 3, said rotatable drive mechanism comprising a rotatable drive shaft located within said cavity, and drive linkage means between said rotatable drive shaft and respective first and second plates for shifting said plates together between a position at which they extend substantially normal to the side of said hull to position in which they extend substantially flush against the side of said hull and close said cavity.
 6. A water vessel, according to claim 5, wherein said cavity opening is disposed between the pivotal mounting of said first and second plates and said plates move inwardly together to cause the ends to substantially abut and close said cavity when they are flush against the side of said hull.
 7. A water vessel control device comprising a closed housing for defining an interior cavity which is adapted to be located on a side of a vessel, said cavity having at least one opening outwardly in a direction away from the side of the vessel, first and second control plates, first and second pivot means carried by said housing at spaced longitudinal locations and being connected to said control plates for pivotally supporting said plates at one of their respective ends so that the opposite respective ends may be swung outwardly from said housing and said cavity opening, said first and second control plates being movable between a position at which they extend substantially flush with the side of the vessel and close the opening of said cavity to a position at which they extend substantially normal to the side of the vessel and outwardly from said housing, and a drive mechanism mounted in said housing connected to said control plates for shifting said plates inwardly and outwardly about said respective first and second pivots.
 8. A water vessel control device, according to claim 7, wherein said cavity has only a single opening, said first and second control plates being pivotal inwardly to a position substantially in which the ends opposite said pivotal connections substantially abut and close said cavity.
 9. A water vessel control device, according to claim 7, wherein said cavity has first and second spaced longitudinal openings to the exterior of said housing on the side away from said vessel, said first and second control plates being pivotal to a closed position in which they move in respective opposite directions to close said respective first and second longitudinal openings.
 10. A water vessel control device, according to claim 7, wherein said drive means comprises a rotatable drive shaft, a triangular drive plate having an apex connected to said drive shaft and being rotatable therewith, and first and second connecting rods connecting between said first and second control plates and respective apices of said triangular drive plate which are spaced from said drive shaft.
 11. A water vessel control device, according to claim 7, wherein said rotatable drive means comprises a rotatable drive shaft, a double-arm lever centrally mounted on said drive shaft and having respective first and second outer arm portions, first and second pivotal triangular plates for each of said first and second control plates and linkage means connected between said double-arm lever first and second outer arm portions and respective first and second triangular drive plates and between said drive plates and said first and second control plates. 